Getting grout off ceramic tiles clean - Tile Advice

[m4rky]

Hi,

We have just had floor and wall tiles fitted in our bathroom and after leaving them 24hrs to dry I tried to clean the grout off them last night.

I used our normal flash floor cleaner and some cotton cloths.
I have managed to get the big lumps of grout and adhesive off no problem but now it has dried a lot of the tile seem milky in appearance (as though the grout is still on).

How do I get rid of this milky appearance? I have had a quick search on the forum and Lithofin has been recommended to others.

We have ceramic tiles, called sicily, from B&Q. They are un-glazed, so are rough to touch, and also very good at ripping the cotton cloths to shreds

Thanks,

Mark

 

[m4rky]

Is this the stuff I need?

Extensive Limited > Cement Residue Remover - 1L

If so, what do you apply it with and can you get it from B&Q??

 

[grumpygrouter]

If you have used normal grout then you may well find that if you leave it to dry normally the "haze" should just polish off with a dry lint free cloth.

It is not normal for ceramic tiles to be unglazed unless they are solid body porcelain. (These can be glazed too)

If you have a rough texture to the tiles you may want to try the product from Lithofin, it is very good but I doubt you will get it from B&Q.

I was a bit concerned that you say you had adhesive residue to clean off along with the grout! It is normal to clean everything before grouting. Hopefully your "cloudy" appearance is not actually scratching of the glaze from the dry adhesive you have cleaned off.

 

[m4rky]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't think I can polish the residue off as the tile is too rough.
When cleaning I had to use a new cotton cloth for each wall as it ripped them apart.

Also I hope the adhesive has not damaged the tiles. There was only very small amounts of this on the edges of some of the tiles. I assume it was adhesive as it was grey in colour as opposed to the white of the grout.

I want to avoid getting the Lithofin over the internet as I could do with sorting it out this weekend. What sort of places sell it?? Topps Tiles??

 

[grumpygrouter]

Topps usually sell Fila products I believe and I have not used them so I can't comment but from what I have read it is good stuff. I get my lithofin from an independent dealer.

 

[DHTiling]

When you say you left them 24hrs before cleaning.....you don't mean you grouted and then left them 24hrs before celaning them off do you...?..or are we talking they were washed off and then you left them 24hrs before cleaning the residue off..?..

 

[m4rky]

Well the tiler wiped over with a sponge after he had grouted.
Then I let it all dry for 24hrs before trying to get the rest off.
Some of the residue has gone but the tiles are still quite milky coloured.

My wife spoke to the tiler today and he expected that it would all come off no problem and he was surprised.
He suggested I try a kitchen/dish brush with water and if it still doesn't shift then he can come over and use a weak patio/brick cleaning solution.

 

[DHTiling]

I would use a product designed for removing grout residue rather than brick acid , but let us know how it goes...

 

[wetdec]

Then get him back he hasnt finished yet...........


tiler

..

 

[gonk31]

topps do resideu remover which is a grout film remover and also do grout clean up pads which is an abrasive pad with 4 different roughness of pads

 

[m4rky]

Then get him back he hasnt finished yet...........

This is what we intend to do. He did clean the tiles when he finished but when they are wet they look great! Its when they dry they get the haze.
He has said he'll come back on Thurs/Fri this week and use a mild brick acid on them.

But I thought I would give it a go myself:
A) because I wanted it done quicker than Turs/Fri.
and B) Wanted to use something milder than acid first.

topps do resideu remover which is a grout film remover and also do grout clean up pads which is an abrasive pad with 4 different roughness of pads

Yep bought these. I got FILA Grout Residue Remover (Neutral), not the acid based one. I also got the pad set.

I spent hours over the weekend scrubbing the walls and a fair bit has come off but there is still a haze over most of the tiles.
The two non-abrasive pads have now completely disintegrated.
So I have given up.

Thanks for all your advice.

Mark

 

[TilingLogistics]

Where are you in the Country?

Kev

 

[m4rky]

South Manchester

 

[TilingLogistics]

Right, I am busy Wednesday to Friday this week and off on holiday next week until 29th July. If your tiler doesn't get it sorted and you are still unhappy. I would be prepared come up and do it for you as long as you cover my fuel and expenses if that is any good to you.

Kev

 

[White Room]

Tiler should have finished the job IMO, Get him back to complete what he started